Tapered template guided system for a router

ABSTRACT

Tapered, stepped, or non-tapered router guide templates, and optionally combined template holder system, each template comprising: a base portion, a top portion, at least one of an exterior surface interconnecting the base portion and the top portion along an outer periphery of the template and an interior surface interconnecting the base portion and the top portion along an inner periphery of the template, wherein optionally one of the exterior surface and the interior surface may be continuously tapered between the base portion and the top portion, or stepped, and wherein the base portion is adapted for removable and adjustable interconnection with the template holder system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a template-guided system for routers,and more particularly to a tapered-template, template-guided system forpantograph-type router systems comprising a readily adjustable templateholder and a readily-adjustable tapered template, or readily-adjustabletapered templates, to facilitate efficient and highly accurate routercuts.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1A-D, a router 10 (as shown in FIG. 5) has beencommonly used with a pattern or jig 12, 14, 15 to follow a shape or aform. Some jigs have used a bit-mounted guide bearing 16 to follow theshape, and some jigs have used the base of the router, or a collararound the bit, to follow the inside or outside of a pattern. These haveall been one-to-one ratio router guide systems where the pattern 12, 14has been the same size, or has allowed the same travel, as the desiredcarved or cut pattern or shape in the workpiece.

A Hybrid PantoRouter™, PantoRouter™ 49 shown in FIG. 5, and other routersystems, have used a router to make cuts in wood, plastic and softmetals. The bit 52 for such a router 49 typically spins at up to 20,000RPM and is often difficult to precisely control using conventional,manually-operated, methods and commonly available jigs and templates.Templates and template holder systems available to date, such as thosefrom JDS Multi-Tools or Rocker Woodworking and Hardware, have beenmanufactured and sold in fixed sizes and shapes and have not allowed thedegree of fine adjustment provided by the present invention tocompensate for slightly different router bit diameters, for example asmay have been encountered from one bit manufacturer to another, to allowfor desired glue space, or to compensate for different wood species. Themanufacturer of the JDS Multi-Tools and Rockler Woodworking and Hardwarejigs have offered different templates of slightly different sizes, butno other system has been provided by the prior art to allow simplemicro-adjustment of a router like that of the present template system.

A common method of alignment of a workpiece on a mount or table has beento measure the thickness of the workpiece using a scale or caliper,after which the user, or operator, has moved the router or mount tocenter the desired joint or shape on the workpiece. With this commonmethod, there have often been required multiple test cuts andfine-tuning before a cut has been accurately centered. Of course, adownside of such a system has been wasted material, uncertainty in theprocess of cutting, and this has also resulted in a final product thathas frequently not been as precise as would otherwise have beendesirable. This in turn has led to woodworking joints, for example, suchas mortise and tenon, dovetail, and box joints, that have not been asdurable and have not been as accurately-fitting as would otherwise havebeen desirable. Or, to attain the same level of precision as the presentinvention would have taken much longer for set-up and multiple testcuts.

Further, while many prior art templates available today have beenfactory-supplied and are of good quality, nevertheless imperfections insuch factory-supplied templates as shown at 18 on FIG. 1C, or incustom-made templates, have been transferred to the cut or carving atfull scale. This in turn has provided a lower quality, less durable, orslower output in design and functionality than would otherwise have beendesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A PantoRouter™-type system is advantageous over the prior art, since theaforementioned imperfections in a template are minimized by a reductionin scale of cutting movements, and hence such a system enables a cleanerand more precise cut. And a cleaner, more precise cut, results in a morepleasing, accurate and durable resulting workpiece joinery.

The invention shown, described and claimed herein addresses the problemsof prior art router template systems, and it contributes to a moreaccurate, efficient, pleasing appearance and faster cut on a workpiece,as well as safer operating environments for operators. The invention ispreferably used with a pantographic-type router mount with a 2:1mechanical advantage over the router, and this mechanical advantagegives the operator control and precision superior to any othermanually-controlled means of operation.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided atapered relationship between a template and a guide bearing forfollowing the template, wherein preferably the templates, or template,are mounted on a moveable template holder system, or armature, mountedon a moveable or stationary carriage, and wherein preferably the guidebearing, for following the template, is located on a pantographic mount.

In accordance with a first embodiment of this aspect of the invention,there is provided a template which is stepped and/or tapered, either onan inside surface, or on an outside surface, or optionally on bothinside and outside surfaces, to allow micro-adjustments to cuts, orcarvings, in the workpiece to allow greater precision, for example as injoining two workpieces together. Thus, the guide bearing can be moved upor down (in or out on) the steps or taper on the template, which createsa larger or smaller cut in the workpiece by the router bit.

Thus, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention inaccordance with this aspect of the invention, there is provided a routerguide template comprising: a base portion; a top portion; and at leastone of an exterior surface interconnecting the base portion and the topportion along an outer periphery of the template and an interior surfaceinterconnecting the base portion and the top portion along an innerperiphery of the template, wherein the at least one of the exteriorsurface and the interior surface is continuously tapered or steppedbetween the base portion and the top portion, and wherein the baseportion is adapted for removable and adjustable interconnection with atemplate holder. In those templates having an interior surface, theinterior surface may be tapered, not tapered, or stepped, and theinterior surface and the base portion together may form a concave,stadium bowl-shaped interior in the case of a stadium-shaped templatescommon for creating mortise and tenon-type joinery.

The stadium shape is a geometric figure consisting of a rectangle withtop and bottom lengths a, and the ends of which are capped off withsemi-circles of radius r. The area of a stadium is therefore given byA=π r2+2 r a, and the perimeter by p=2 (π r+a). While a stadium-shapedtemplate, with a stadium-shaped outer periphery and a stadium-shapedinner periphery, or stepped inner periphery, is commonly, and evenpreferably employed in mortise and tenon joinery creation, it will beappreciated that other shapes, such as elliptical, circular, square,round, curved, or other shape appropriate to the desired design outcome,whether for joinery or otherwise, may also be employed with the presentinvention without departing from its true scope as claimed. Therefore,where stadium is mainly used herein to describe the shapes of the outerand inner peripheries of templates herein (and stadium may beinterchangeably used with elliptical herein as pertaining to thedrawings), it will be appreciated that elliptical, circular, square, orother basic shapes in accordance with a desired design outcome, whetherfor joinery or otherwise, may also be substituted without limiting theinvention as claimed.

Combining the outside surface (tenon template) together with the insidesurface (mortise template) in a single template allows the operator tocut both mortise and tenon joints using the same setup, unlike prior arttemplates, which have required multiple additional steps (and thereforeincreased errors and time to set up) by an operator to achieve the sameresult.

In an alternative embodiment of this aspect of the invention, furthercomprising both an exterior surface and an interior surface formed byconcave stepped-bowl-like edges and a base portion, where the interiorsurface actually comprises stepped interior surfaces, each surfaceforming in cross section a stadium (to form larger (upper) and smaller(lower) stadiums having partially concentric end portions) in crosssection and having a larger circumference upper interior surfacepreferably at least at ends of the stadium shape thereof, and a smallercircumference lower interior surface also forming an inner stadium incross section. In this embodiment, preferably an intermediate portion(i.e., the longer edges of the stadium bowl-shaped interior) of theinterior surfaces forming the stadium-shaped concave, stepped-bowl-likeedges are preferably the same width for both the upper interior surfaceand the lower interior surface, but there preferably is a step at eachend in the interior portion of this embodiment of the template which isformed in between the two interior surfaces at each end of thestadium-bowl-shaped interior surfaces. This configuration of templateallows the creation of a mortise having a larger or smaller width toallow more or less adjustability of the mortise and tenon joint.

Thus, in accordance with this embodiment and aspect of the invention,there is provided a router guide template, further comprising both anexterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the interior surfacefurther comprises a plurality of stepped interior surfaces, an upperinterior surface generally describing in cross section a stadium, oralternatively an elongated ellipse, having first and second ends and anelongated middle portion and a lower interior surface generallydescribing in cross section a stadium having first and second ends andan elongated middle portion, wherein at least the ends of the lowerinterior surface comprise a smaller circumference surface than at leastthe ends of the upper interior surface such that an intermediate step isformed at least adjacent the ends of and between the upper interiorsurface and the lower interior surface. Further, in this alternativeembodiment, one or more of the stepped interior surfaces may also betapered.

Referring back to the first embodiment described above in accordancewith this aspect of the invention, both the exterior surface and theinterior surface of the router guide template may be continuouslytapered between the base portion and the top portion, and in this caseat least a portion of the exterior continuous surface may becontinuously tapered inwardly from the base portion to the top portion,and further in such a case where the interior surface is also tapered, acorresponding portion of that interior continuous surface may also becontinuously tapered outwardly from the base portion to the top portion.

Preferably, the taper of the router guide template of this aspect of theinvention comprises a continuously-tapered exterior surface. And wherethe interior surface of such a router guide template is also tapered(optionally), it too may be continuously-tapered. Further, thecontinuous tapers may extend around the entire exterior and/or interiorperipheries, respectively, of the template.

It will be appreciated that different bit diameters used in a routerimpact the size of a template to be used. Thus, it is commonlyunderstood by those skilled in the art that to determine template size,the formula for determining the template size for a Tenon equals 2(TenonWidth+Bit Diameter)−Guide Bearing Diameter, whereas the formula fordetermining the template size for the Mortise equals 2(Mortise Width−BitDiameter)−Guide Bearing Diameter. Further, it will be appreciated thatthe router guide template tapers preferably comprise a taper of between0.1 degree and 25 degrees to allow for micro-adjustment of a cuts andcarvings.

The tapered templates in accordance with this aspect of the invention onthe pantographic mount are precisely calculated but approximately doublethe desired cut so that any imperfection in the template is translatedonly half-scale to the workpiece, and router control requires less(approximately half) the effort, which as described further below issafer and more accurate. Thus, not only are imperfections in a templateminimized to the degree of 2:1 in the final product of the workpiece,but the 2:1 mechanical advantage in the pantograph system furtherfacilitates the ease and safety with which an operator can performcutting and carving operations using such a system. This is in partbecause, in fact, there is even a greater mechanical advantage than 2:1that is achieved with a pantograph-type router system comparing theoperator handle relative to the cutting blade output. Thus, the taperedtemplates provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention serveto facilitate the ease, accuracy and increased safety of routingoperations with their use in connection with a pantograph-type routersystem.

In an alternative embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a guidebearing itself can also be tapered to be used with non-taperedtemplates, or tapered templates, to also allow micro-adjusting of thesize and location of a cut or carve on the workpiece upon moving of theguide bearing relative to the template and template holder, or thetemplate holder and template relative to the guide bearing, to alsoallow micro-adjusting of the size and location of the cut or carve onthe workpiece. Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the invention,there is provided a router template guidance system having a combinationguide bearing and guide template comprising: a template comprising anupper portion, a lower portion, and at least one exterior surfaceinterconnecting the upper portion and the lower portion, said templatefurther comprising at least one interior surface interconnecting theupper portion and the lower portion of the template; and a guide bearingcomprising an exterior surface having a taper thereon adapted forfollowing in contact with the exterior surface and the interior surfaceof the template.

Preferably in accordance with the combination guide bearing and guidetemplate of this aspect of the invention, the taper of said guidebearing exterior surface preferably extends around the entire exteriorguide bearing roller surface and is adapted for contact use with theinterior and exterior surfaces of the template to guide a router bladefor creating a tenon on a workpiece corresponding with the interior ofthe template, and for creating a mortise on another workpiececorresponding with the exterior of the template, the tenon and themortise being matched in size and location on the workpieces in order tointerconnect the workpieces.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is furtherprovided, in addition to the template system of either of the aspects ofthe invention described above, a template holder in combination with therouter guide template, the template holder having a plurality of supportpost members, preferably two such post members at either end of thecross member (to allow clearance of a router motor in-between the postmembers), and a cross member interconnecting the support post membersand having a plurality of linear keyed slots therein, wherein the baseportion of the template is adapted for removable and adjustableinterconnection with the linear keyed slots of the cross member of thetemplate holder. Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the invention,the tapered templates are able to be mounted adjustably and removably onone or more of the template holder's plurality of keyed slots or tracks.Into one or more of these cross member keyed slots, the inventionprovides that one or more adjustable keyed portions (i.e., an expandedhead or nut on the end of a threaded bolt passing through the baseportion of each template) and alignment guides (i.e., tapered tenons) onthe base portion (i.e., a back portion) of each template may beremoveably and slideably placed and tightened or loosed. This is similarto a keyed tongue and groove type relationship between each template andthe keyed slots of the template holder cross member, to allowsubstantial adjustability of each template on the template holder. Thekeyed portions of each template are thus able to be tightened or loosed,by fixing or loosening, respectively, the keyed portion of each templateas by screwing the threaded post within the template base, to be able tofix, or install, adjust or remove, a template relative to one or more ofthe tracks on the template holder. The readily adjustable taperedtemplates of the foregoing aspects of the invention allow for greaterease of use of the router to accomplish desired, and more accurate, cutson a workpiece.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a thickness gaugefor allowing the operator to quickly, accurately and easily center theheight of cuts in a Y-axis on a workpiece is located on the templateholder support post, or cross-member (see FIG. 10 for an axis diagramfor orientation references for this specification). Thus, the operatoris allowed to insert the workpiece, or sample stock of a same thicknessas the workpiece, further allowing the operator to lock the templateholder in place and to automatically center the cut, joint or shape inthe workpiece, in order to properly adjust the desired height of therouter cutting blade relative to the workpiece before beginning cuttingoperations. The thickness of the workpiece or sample measured by thegauge is doubled in a 2:1 Pantograph system so that imperfections in thesurface are translated at half-scale to the workpiece, thus improvingprecision of cuts and carves on the workpiece.

Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the templateholder of the router guide template system further comprises a thicknessgauge for use with a 2:1-ratio-type, pantograph-type router system. Thethickness gauge of this aspect of the invention is for enablingcentering cuts and carvings in a Y-axis of a workpiece, the thicknessgauge preferably further comprising a plurality of clamps on one of thecross member or the support posts. The thickness gauge of this aspect ofthe invention is adapted for holding a sample of stock that is the samethickness as the intended workpiece such that the cutting blade of therouter is adapted to be positioned so as to create one or more of amortise and a tenon in a center location of the workpiece and anotherworkpiece.

In accordance with yet another aspect and embodiment of the invention,each tapered template is provided in a plurality of segments, whereinmultiple segments of tapered templates may be mixed, matched, andcombined to form differing shapes and sizes of cuts. Thus, in accordancewith this aspect of the invention, there is provided a router guidetemplate, wherein the template is comprised of a plurality of segmentsof tapered templates. Further, each such segment of tapered templatecomprises a top portion, a base portion, and at least one of an exteriorcontinuously-tapered or stepped surface interconnecting the base portionand the top portion along an outer periphery and an interiorcontinuously-tapered or stepped surface interconnecting the base portionand the top portion along an inner periphery. Still further, each suchsegment of tapered or stepped template further comprises two mating endportions such that the plurality of segments of tapered templates may beremovably and adjustably attached to the template holder in end-to-endfashion. When combined in this manner, the top portions, the baseportions, any exterior continuously-tapered surfaces and interiorcontinuously-tapered surfaces of each segment are mated end-to-end withan end of another segment forming a continuous top portion, a continuousbase portion, and one of an exterior continuously-tapered surface and aninterior continuously-tapered surface between each mated segment. Whenthe entire plurality of segments are thus mated end-to-end together theyform a complete router guide template with a continuous top portion, acontinuous base portion, and at least one of an exteriorcontinuously-tapered or stepped surface, and an interiorcontinuously-tapered, non-tapered, or stepped surface. This aspect ofthe invention further supports and enables greater ease and flexibilityin forming templates to accomplish a wider range of joining, ordecorative, cuts in the workpiece.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the invention provided above,in an embodiment of the invention, there is provided: A pantograph-typewoodworking router guide template and template holder combination,comprising: a template holder comprising a plurality of post membershaving at least one keyed slot defined along and extending at least aportion of the length of each post member and adapted forinterconnection with a pantograph carriage, the template holder furthercomprising at least one cross member adjustably interconnecting theplurality of post members, the template holder cross member furthercomprising means for removeably retaining at least one template, whereinthe template holder further comprises a plurality of clamps foradjustably fixing the cross member relative to the posts; a templatehaving a base portion and a top portion, the template further comprisingexterior and interior continuous surfaces interconnecting the base andtop portions of the template along an outer periphery and an innerperiphery of the template, respectively, the base portion being adaptedfor removable and adjustable interconnection with the cross member ofthe template. The post members of the template holder are typicallyconnected to the carriage of the pantograph with a plurality of bolts.

In accordance with an alternative, embodiment of one or more of theforegoing aspects of the invention, there is provided a pantograph-typewoodworking router guide template and template holder combination,wherein the interior surface and exterior surface further comprises astepped interior surface having a larger circumference upper interiorsurface and a smaller circumference lower interior surface. Thisconfiguration allows the creation of a larger or smaller mortise toallow for adjustment of the tenon in the mortise.

Preferably, in accordance with an embodiment of a pantograph-typewoodworking router guide template and template holder combination,either or both the exterior continuous surface and the interiorcontinuous surface are one of non-tapered, tapered or stepped.

Further, in accordance with another embodiment of a pantograph-typewoodworking router guide template and template holder combination, boththe exterior continuous surface and the interior continuous surface aretapered, wherein the exterior continuous surface is tapered inwardlyfrom the base portion to the top portion, wherein the interiorcontinuous surface is tapered outwardly from the base portion to the topportion, and wherein the taper of each of the continuously-taperedexterior and interior surfaces extends around the entire exterior andinterior peripheries, respectively, of the template.

Preferably, in connection with this pantograph-type woodworking routerguide template and template holder combination embodiment of theinvention in accordance with any of the foregoing aspects of theinvention, each of the exterior continuous surface and the interiorcontinuous surface is continuously tapered or stepped, and preferablythe taper or step of each of the continuously-tapered or steppedexterior and interior surfaces extends around the entire exterior andinterior peripheries, respectively, of the template.

However, as described in connection with interior stepped surfaces abovein connection with another embodiment and aspect of the invention, theinterior of this embodiment and aspect of the invention may be tapered,non-tapered, or preferably it may be stepped at the ends of thetemplate. Thus, in those templates having an interior surface, where theinterior surface may be tapered, non-tapered, or stepped, the interiorsurface and the base portion together may form a concave,stadium-bowl-shaped interior in the case of a stadium-shaped templatecommon for creating mortise and tenon-type joinery. Thus, in this latterembodiment, the interior-concave-stadium-bowl-shaped end portions of theinterior portion of the template are preferably stepped.

And, thus, in the alternative embodiment of this aspect of theinvention, further comprising both an exterior surface and an interiorsurface formed by concave stepped-bowl-like edges and a base portion,where the interior surface actually comprises stepped interior surfaces,each surface forming a stadium (to form larger (upper) and smaller(lower) stadiums having partially concentric end portions) in crosssection and having a larger circumference upper interior surfacepreferably at least at ends of the stadium shape thereof, and a smallercircumference lower interior surface also forming an inner stadium incross section. In this embodiment, preferably an intermediate portion(i.e., the longer edges of the stadium bowl-shaped interior) of theinterior surfaces forming the stadium-shaped concave, stepped-bowl-likeedges are preferably the same width for both the upper interior surfaceand the lower interior surface, but there preferably is a step at eachend in the interior portion of this embodiment of the template which isformed in between the two interior surfaces at each end of thestadium-bowl-shaped interior surfaces. This configuration of templateallows the creation of a mortise having a larger or smaller width toallow more or less adjustability of the mortise and tenon joint. In thisalternative embodiment, one or more of the stepped interior surfaces mayalso be tapered, elliptical, square, round, curved, or other shapeappropriate to the desired design outcome, and whether for joinery cutsor otherwise.

Further, as described previously in accordance with one or morepreviously-described embodiments and aspects of the invention,preferably the opposing exterior and interior continuous surface tapersof this embodiment of the invention may be generally corresponding andopposed to each other, such that an innermost portion of the exteriorand interior continuously-tapered surfaces near the top of the template(as well as near the base of the template and also in-between the topand the base of the template) may generally correspond so as togenerally guide the operator in cutting and carving.

Still further, preferably in connection with this embodiment of theinvention, the cross member interconnecting the support post membersdefines a plurality of linear keyed slots, and wherein the base portionof the template is adapted for removable and adjustable interconnectionwith the linear keyed slots of the cross member of the template holder.

Still further, preferably, in connection with this embodiment of any ofthe foregoing aspects of the invention, the template holder furthercomprises a thickness gauge on a 2:1-ratio-type, pantograph-type routingwoodworking system, for enabling centering cuts and carvings in a Y-axisof a first workpiece, the thickness gauge further comprising a pluralityof clamps on one of the cross member or the support posts and adaptedfor holding a sample of stock that is the same thickness as the intendedworkpiece such that the cutting blade of the router is adapted to bepositioned so as to create one of a mortise and tenon in the center ofthe workpiece and another workpiece.

Further, in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of theinvention in accordance with any of the foregoing aspects of theinvention, the template is comprised of a plurality of segments oftapered templates, wherein each segment of tapered template comprises atop portion, a base portion, an exterior (optionallycontinuously-tapered) surface interconnecting the base portion and thetop portion along an outer periphery, and an interior (optionallycontinuously-tapered) surface interconnecting the base portion and thetop portion along an inner periphery, and wherein each segment oftemplate further comprises two mating end portions such that theplurality of segments of tapered templates may be removably andadjustably attached to the template holder in end-to-end fashion suchthat the top portions, the base portions, the exterior (optionallycontinuously-tapered) surfaces and the interior (optionallycontinuously-tapered) surfaces of each segment mated with an end toanother segment end forms a continuous top portion, a continuous baseportion, a continuous exterior (optionally continuously-tapered) surfaceand a continuous interior (optionally continuously-tapered) surface, andsuch that when the plurality of segments are mated end-to-end togetherthey form a complete router guide template with a continuous topportion, a continuous base portion, a continuous exterior (optionallycontinuously-tapered) surface, and a continuous interior (optionallycontinuously-tapered) surface.

The tapered-template system in accordance with one or more aspects andembodiments of the invention summarized above addresses the problem ofinaccurate or complicated joinery using a router and fixed-size guidesor templates, thus enabling quicker, more accurate, safer, andeasier-to-make joinery cuts, whether dovetail, mortise and tenon, or boxjoint cuts. No other known system provides similar micro-adjustment asprovided with the tapered templates of the present invention. With sucha system of the present invention, an operator is enabled in adjustingthe depth of the guide bearing on a pantograph-type router, moving it inor out to engage a different portion of a taper on either or both anexterior surface and an interior surface of a template, to enableeasy-to-make and precise joinery cuts.

Further, the tapered-template system in accordance with one or moreaspects and embodiments of the invention summarized above enables usersin easy and quick micro-adjustments to proposed cuts and carves.

Still further, the tapered-template system in accordance with yetanother aspect of the invention enables operators to more quickly andeasily center the thickness (Y-axis) of a joint or shape in a workpiece.Thus, one or more of the foregoing aspects and embodiments of theinvention helps users to more quickly and accurately center their workon an intended workpiece.

With the use of the tapered-template system in accordance with one ormore aspects and/or embodiments of the invention, operators are enabledin greater control over routers using a pantographic or non-pantographicrouter mount, thus making such template-guided routers easier to use andmore accurate.

The tapered template system in accordance with one or more aspects andembodiments of the invention enables operators in installing andchanging templates and template holders, thus facilitating the work ofsetting up, creating, and taking down, a project.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification.However, both the organization and method of operation, together withfurther advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following descriptions taken in connection withaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In consideration of the following detailed description of variousembodiments, the invention may be more completely understood inconnection with the following drawings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a prior art template for a router;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another prior art template for arouter;

FIG. 1C is a plan view of another prior art template for a router;

FIG. 1D is a front view of a router with a prior art guide bearingthereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable template holder for atemplate guide system in accordance with an embodiment and aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a tapered template of a template guidesystem in accordance with an embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of a tapered template of a template guidesystem in accordance with an embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view of a tapered template of a template guidesystem in accordance with an embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3D is a side elevation view of a tapered template of a templateguide system in accordance with an embodiment and aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 3E is a front elevation view of a tapered template of a templateguide system in accordance with an embodiment and aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 4A is a partial side elevation view of a tapered template and guidebearing combination system in accordance with an embodiment and aspectof the invention;

FIG. 4B is a partial side elevation view of a template and tapered guidebearing system in accordance with an alternate embodiment and aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pantograph-type router on a mount,having a standard guide bearing adjustably mounted thereon, and adaptedfor use with, and in combination with, a tapered template system inaccordance with an embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of a tapered, stepped template of a templateguide system in accordance with an alternate embodiment and aspect ofthe invention;

FIG. 6B is a front elevation view of the tapered, stepped template ofFIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an illustrative front elevation view of the tapered, steppedtemplate of FIGS. 6A and 6B, further showing in partial phantom view howa guide bearing would interface with the tapered, stepped templateduring operation;

FIG. 6D is a front elevation of yet another alternative embodiment of atapered, stepped template;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a plural-segment tapered template inaccordance with an alternative embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a front elevation exploded view of a plural-segment taperedtemplate in accordance with an alternative embodiment and aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 8A is a bottom plan view of a base portion of a template adaptedfor vertical orientation on a template holder in accordance with analternative embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8B is a bottom plan view of another base portion of a templateadapted for angled orientation on a template holder in accordance withan alternative embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8C is a bottom plan view of yet another base portion of a templateadapted for horizontal orientation on a template holder in accordancewith an alternative embodiment and aspect of the invention;

FIG. 9a is a front elevation partial view of part of an alternativeembodiment of a template comprising an exterior stepped portion and aninterior stepped portion (and without showing tapered tenons and keysfor interconnecting to a template holder as per an aspect of theinvention);

FIG. 9b is a front elevation partial view of part of another alternativeembodiment of a template comprising an exterior stepped portion and aninterior non-tapered portion (and without showing tapered tenons andkeys for interconnecting to a template holder as per an aspect of theinvention); and

FIG. 10 is an illustrative perspective view of a tenon joint on aworkpiece and further illustrating reference X, Y, and Z axes referredto in this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3A-E, a template holder system 20in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention preferablycomprises a plurality of stands, or posts, 22 (preferably there areprovided two such posts), and preferably a single cross member 24interconnecting the two posts. The template holder system 20 may becomprised of a single post 22 and cross member 24, or more posts 22 maybe employed as well, without departing from the true scope and spirit ofthe invention as claimed. However, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that two such posts is preferable from the standpointof simplicity of use, rigidity and sturdiness of the resulting templateguide system 20.

Each of the posts 22 of the template holder system 20 preferably has keyslots, or grooves, 26 therein for facilitating alignment of thecross-member 24 thereon, for facilitating the adjustment of the templateholder for use as described further hereafter for height adjustment, aswell as for attaching the posts with bolts (four bolts for each post) toholes 55 in the router or pantograph mount 58 (FIG. 5).

The cross-member 24 of the template holder system 20 comprisesmeasurement indicia 28 on an upper edge surface 7, and/or lower edgesurface 5, thereon, either inch or metric scale, to assist withcentering, or otherwise locating, a tapered template 30 on the templateholder in order to allow correspondingly-located cuts on workpieces.Indicia 31 may also be provided on the posts 22 as well, in order tofacilitate measurement of the cross member 24 and height guide 27position, as discussed further below, relative to the posts 22.

The cross-member 24 of the template holder system 20 further preferablycomprises three or more horizontal mounting grooves, or keyed slots, 29,made either of plastic or metal, such as aluminum. Each of the templates30, 30′ (as well as other templates described herein) have correspondingtapered tenons, or tapered tongues, 44 to help orient and fix thetemplates in the keyed slots. The taper of each of these orientingtenons 44, 44′ is provided as slightly larger at a base of each tenonthan at a tip of each tenon, as shown in FIG. 3D, so that upon placementand tightening of the template 30, 30′ onto the template holder 24 asfurther described below, the templates are snugly attached fixed in theslots 29 of the template holder.

These tapered tenons 44 may be oriented longitudinally the length of thetemplate 30 as shown in FIG. 3C, the keyed slots 29 are preferablyspaced about ¾ inch, or about 20 mm, apart which provides optimalspacing for the templates 30, 30′ in order to place single or multiple½″, ⅜″, or ¼″ thick mortise and tenon joints in dimensional lumbercommon to North America, such as 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, etc. The template holder20 also accommodates non-tapered, tapered or stepped templates, asfurther described herein in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention, to make fixed or variably-spaced dovetail and box joints. Thetapered templates 30 may be tapered on the exterior and interiorsurfaces to allow micro-adjustment of the joinery.

The template holder 20 further comprises an L-shaped side angle system19 mounted, as with screws to each side of the template holder crossmember 24, and the template holder cross member is partially retainedwithin, and maintained squared relative to, the two L-shaped side anglesby an outer vertically-oriented lip 11 on each L-shaped angle andengaging either end of the cross member. The L-shaped angle system 19,comprises left and right such L-shaped angles on either side of thetemplate holder cross member. The L-shaped angles 19 and cross member24, are removably fixed together with tightening screws so that theL-shaped angles and cross member combination is fixed together andadjustable as a unit, and alternatively able to be fixed, or locked at acertain height, relative to the posts 22 with the use of clamps 21, eachclamp having a tightening lever 23.

The angles 19 and cross member 24 combination are able to be adjusted toan appropriate height according to indicia 31 on one of the posts 22,the workpiece used temporarily for a height measurement as furtherdescribed below, or a representative sample workpiece of the samethickness as the workpiece. Thus, the system of clamps 21 each have atightening lever 23 for the operator to actuate to adjust the templateholder cross member 24 position relative to the posts 22, the pantographcarriage 58, and thus the workpiece, via the L-shaped angles 19 fixed tothe template holder cross member.

Thus, there is also provided a height measurement clamp, or thicknessgauge, 27 for holding a reference, or sample, workpiece/stock 3, toallow simple adjustment of the height of the cross member 24 andattached template 30 relative to the cross member, the routing table 58,and thus the actual workpiece on which cutting or carving is to beperformed. The thickness gauge 27 allows the operator to quickly,accurately and easily center a cut or carving in the Y-axis of an actualworkpiece (see FIG. 10 for an axis diagram for proper orientation forthis specification).

This is accomplished by first referencing the upper surface of thethickness gauge 27 at the cutting table surface, and then by adding thesample/workpiece stock 3, followed by moving the cross member 24 (viathe L-shaped angles sliding along the posts 22) down so that anunderside of the cross member 24 comes to rest on the upper surface ofthe reference stock 3. Thereafter, the operator is able to fix the crossmember 24 at that location using the levers 23 of clamps 21 which thusclamp the L-shaped angles 19 and attached cross member 24 to the posts22 at the desired height. The thickness gauge 27 is built into thetemplate holder system 20, preferably mounted on a template holdersupport post 22, or cross member 24. Thus the thickness of the workpieceor sample is measured by the gauge 27 to accurately position or centerthe joinery on the workpiece.

The clamps 21 are both for adjusting the template holder 20 andoperating the cross member 24 and L-shaped angles 19 combinationrelative to the thickness gauge 27. The thickness gauge 27 is attached,and independently slides into, and is held in place within, the grooves26 in the posts 22, via a screw 27 a. The side angle assembly 19 must bealigned on entry into the groove 26 in the posts 22, and upon tighteningof the clamp 21 via the lever 23. Therefore a part of the inventionoffsets the clamps 21 so one may be aligned at a time. This makeschanging template holders 20 easier and faster. Thus the template holderand system 20, 21, 22, 24, 27, 30, 54, as well as inventive parts,combinations and other embodiments thereof, enables operators to morequickly and easily center the thickness (Y-axis) of a joint or shape ina workpiece. Thus, this aspect, or these aspects, of the invention helpsusers to more quickly and accurately center their work on an intendedworkpiece and allows for greater precision in cuts and carves.

Referring more specifically now to FIGS. 3A-E, there is provided one ormore tapered templates 30 (other embodiments, including non-taperedtemplates, stepped templates, segmented templates, and other types oftemplates, are discussed hereafter in connection with other figures).Each tapered template 30 comprises a top portion 31, a base portion 33,and one or more continuously-tapered surfaces, exterior, outercontinuously-tapered surface 32 a, and interior, innercontinuously-tapered surface 32 b, interconnecting the top portion andthe base portion of each tapered template 30. Each continuously-taperedsurface 32 a, 32 b is continuously tapered in the sense that the surfacehas a continuous taper from the base portion 33 to the top portion 31.In the case of exterior continuously-tapered surface 32 a, the taperpreferably extends continuously inwardly from the intersecting edge 37of the base portion 33 and the tapered surface 32 a to the intersectingedge 39 of the top portion 31 and the tapered surface 32 a. Similarly,in the case of interior continuously-tapered surface 32 b, the taperpreferably extends continuously outwardly from the intersecting edge 41of the interior continuously-tapered surface 32 b and the base portion33 to the intersecting edge 43 of the interior continuously-taperedsurface 32 b and the top portion 31.

In this way, there is provided the ability for micro-adjustment of cutsand carves because of the fact that, to the degree there are providedtapered surfaces, they are adapted to interface in acontinuously-tapered fashion with an adjustable guide bearing 54 (FIGS.4a and 5) to allow for such continuously-adjustable micro-adjustment.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the templatesdescribed herein may be stadium-shaped, elliptical-shaped or some othershape as shown or described. The terms stadium and elliptical are usedsomewhat interchangeably herein when describing one or more of thefigures. The stadium shape is a geometric figure consisting of arectangle with top and bottom lengths a, and the ends of which arecapped off with semi-circles of radius r. The area of a stadium istherefore given by A=πr2+2ra, and the perimeter by p=2(πr+a). While astadium-shaped template, with a stadium-shaped outer periphery and astadium-shaped inner periphery, or stepped inner periphery, is commonly,and even preferably employed in mortise and tenon joinery creation, itwill be appreciated that other shapes, such as elliptical, circular,square, round, curved, or other shape appropriate to the desired designoutcome, whether for joinery or otherwise, may also be employed with thepresent invention without departing from its true scope as claimed.Therefore, where stadium is mainly used herein to describe the shapes ofthe outer and inner peripheries of templates herein (and stadium may beinterchangeably used with elliptical herein as pertaining to thedrawings), it will be appreciated that elliptical, circular, square, orother basic shapes in accordance with a desired design outcome, whetherfor joinery or otherwise, may also be substituted without limiting theinvention as claimed.

Each tapered template 30 is provided with a series of holes 45 adaptedfor receiving the key system 42 for use in releasably securing eachtemplate to the cross member 24 slot 29. The key system 42 furthercomprises a machine screw 47 preferably having an allen-wrench or screwdriver slot(s) operable head 49 thereon. In this way, each taperedtemplate 30 is adapted for interchangeable interconnection with a slot29 of the cross member 24.

Each tapered template 30 is held on the slots 29 of the cross member 24of the template holder 20 with the use of a releasably tightenable andadjustable key 42 and tapered tenon 44 system associated with eachtapered template 30 as shown in FIG. 3E. The releasably tightenable andadjustable key 42 and tapered tenon 44 system may employ the use ofmultiple keys 42 as shown in FIG. 3E, or a single key 42′ as shown inFIGS. 6 B-D. In either case, the tapered tenons 44, together with thekey 42, serve to hold the tapered template 30 in aligned position on,and relative to, the template guide system cross member 24.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 7A-B and 8A, in accordance withanother embodiment and aspect of the invention, there are provided aplurality of segments 72, 74, 76 comprising together a tapered template30′. It will be appreciated that other types of templates, whethertapered, non-tapered, stepped, angular, or otherwise as discussed inother locations or in connection with other Figures in thisspecification, may be segmented and/or attached horizontally,vertically, or in angled orientation, to cross member 24 in accordancewith an aspect and embodiments of the invention, without departing fromthe scope of the invention as claimed.

As with tapered template 30, tapered template 30′, when considered withmultiple segments fit together end-to-end, also comprises a continuoustop portion 31′, a continuous base portion 33′, and one or morecontinuously-tapered surfaces, such as exterior, outercontinuously-tapered surface 32 a′, and/or interior, innercontinuously-tapered surface 32 b′, interconnecting the top portion andthe base portion of each tapered template 30′. Each continuously-taperedsurface 32 a′/32 b′ is continuously tapered in the sense that thesurface has a continuous taper from the base portion 33′ to the topportion 31′. In the case of exterior continuously-tapered surface 32 a′,the taper preferably extends continuously inwardly from the intersectingedge 37′ of the base portion 33′ and the tapered surface 32 a′ to theintersecting edge 39′ of the top portion 31′ and the tapered surface 32a′. Similarly, in the case of interior continuously-tapered surface 32b′, the taper preferably extends continuously outwardly from theintersecting edge 41′ of the interior continuously-tapered surface 32 b′and the base portion 33′ to the intersecting edge 43′ of the interiorcontinuously-tapered surface 32 b′ and the top portion 31′.

In this way, there is provided a tapered relationship not only betweenthe exterior continuously-tapered surface 32 a′ and the interiorcontinuously-tapered surface 32 b′, but there is also provided formicro-adjustment of cuts and carves because of the fact that thesetapered surfaces are adapted to interface in a continuously-taperedfashion with an adjustable guide bearing 54 to allow for suchcontinuously-adjustable micro-adjustment.

In FIGS. 7A-B, tapered template 30′ differs from tapered template 30 inthat tapered template 30′ is comprised of a plurality of segments 72,74, 76. Thus, each of the segments 72, 74, 76 has a top portion 31′, abase portion 33′, an exterior continuously-tapered surface 32 a′, aninterior continuously-tapered surface 32 b′, and preferably a hole 45′,tapered tenons 44′, and key members 42′. Further, each tapered templatesegment 72, 74, 76 also preferably has at least one cross-section endcut 78, and in some cases (i.e., segment 74) a plurality ofcross-section end cuts. Preferably, these cross-section end cuts 78 willmatch corresponding cross-section end cuts 78, so that two or moresegments may be located end-to-end in the slots 29 of cross member 24(as shown in dotted lines at 30′ on FIG. 2) in order to form a completetemplate 30′.

Thus, it will be appreciated that segments 72, 74, 76, or other segmentshaving differing shapes in order to form desired cuts on a workpiece aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art, may be mixed, matched,and combined to form differing shapes and sizes of cuts. Thus, there isprovided a router guide template 31′, wherein the template is comprisedof a plurality of segments of tapered templates 72, 74, 76. Further,each such segment 72, 74, 76 of tapered template 30′ comprises a topportion 31′, a base portion 33′, and at least one of an exteriorcontinuously-tapered surface 32 a′ interconnecting the base portion andthe top portion along an outer periphery and an interiorcontinuously-tapered surface 32 b′ interconnecting the base portion andthe top portion along an inner periphery.

Still further, each such segment 72, 74, 76 of tapered template 30′further comprises two mating end portions 78 such that the plurality ofsegments of tapered templates may be removably and adjustably attachedto the template holder 24 in end-to-end fashion. When combined in thismanner, the top portions 31′, the base portions 33′, any exteriorcontinuously-tapered surfaces 32 a′ and interior continuously-taperedsurfaces 32 b′ of each segment 72, 74, 76 are mated end-to-end with anend 78 of another segment forming a continuous top portion 31′, acontinuous base portion 33′, and one of an exterior continuously-taperedsurface 32 a′ and an interior continuously-tapered surface 32 b′ betweeneach mated segment.

When the entire plurality of segments 72, 74, 76 are thus matedend-to-end together they form a complete router guide template 30′ witha continuous top portion 31′, a continuous base portion 33′, and atleast one of an exterior continuously-tapered surface, 32 a′, aninterior continuously-tapered surface 32 b′, and even a non-taperedinterior or exterior surface (e.g., for example if template 81 or 83 ofFIG. 8 were to be shown as segmented, since there are not shown guidesurface tapers on these templates). This aspect of the invention furthersupports and enables greater ease and flexibility in forming templates30′ to accomplish a wider range of joining, or decorative, cuts in aworkpiece.

Each tapered template 30 (30′, 30″, 30′″, 80, 81, 83, 90, 92, etc.) isprovided with a series of holes 45 adapted for receiving the key system42 for use in releasably securing each template to the cross member 24slot 29. The key system 42 further comprises a threaded post 47preferably with an allen-wrench (other screwdriver) operable head 49thereon. In this way, each template is adapted for interchangeableinterconnection with a slot 29 of the cross member 24.

It will be appreciated that any taper of the interior and the exteriortapered surfaces of the templates (e.g., 30) described herein, maybeneficially extend along the entire tapered surface (depending upon thedesired output of such a guided pantorouter system), both from the baseportion (e.g., 33) of the template to the top portion (e.g., 31) of thetemplate, as well as around the entire length, or circumference in thecase of an entirely stadium, elliptical, circular or oval template.Thus, there may be advantageously provided such a taper both near thetop portion (e.g., 31) of the template (e.g., 30), near the base portion(e.g., 33) of the template, in between these two extreme locations, andalong the entire tapered length of the template.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-D, there is provided an alternative embodimenttemplate 30″, comprised of a stepped, tapered template 30″, wherein,similar to tapered template 30, there is provided a top portion 31″, abase portion 33″, an exterior continuously-tapered surface 32 a″, andstepped interior surfaces 32 b″ and 32 c. Further, as with template 30,and 30′, template 30″ also comprises alignment tapered tenons 44″, and akey system 42″, except unlike the key systems 42, 42′ of templates 30,30′, respectively, template 30″ only has a single key system 42″, whichtogether with the alignment tapered tenons 44″, serves to releasablyhold the template 30″ on a cross member 24 slot 29.

In FIG. 6D, there is provided yet another alternative embodimenttemplate 30′″, comprised of a stepped, tapered template 30′″, whereinsimilar to tapered template 30″, there is provided a top portion 31′″, abase portion 33′″, an exterior continuously-tapered surface 32 a′″, andstepped interior surfaces 32 b′″ and 32 c′. However, unlike taperedtemplate 30″, interior surfaces 32 b′″ and 32 c′ are tapered at each ofthe steps. Like tapered template 30″, tapered template 30′″ alsocomprises alignment tapered tenons 44′″, and a key system 42′″ forreleasably holding the template 30′″ on a cross member 24 slot 29.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, there are provided alternativetemplates 80, 81, 83, respectively. Each such template has a key system82 similar to that of tapered template 30, for example, and taperedtenons 84, 88, 85, respectively as to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C. Because of theorientation of the tapered tenons 84, the segmented template 80 wouldsit vertically on the cross member 24 similar to segmented template 80shown in dotted lines on FIG. 2, whereas the template 81 would sit at anangle on the cross member 24, and the template 85 would sit horizontallyon the cross member 24.

Referring now also to FIGS. 4a and 5, the invention uses a router motor50 (as part of a PantoRouter™, or Hybrid PantoRouter™, router system49), having a router bit 52 and guide bearing, or guide wheel, 54 heldon a guide bearing shaft 83 on a pantographic mount 56 on a base orcarriage 58. On the pantographic mount 56, the center of the guidebearing 54 is located twice the distance from the reference pivot as thecenter of the router bit 52. The guide bearing 54 is guided by theoperator around or within a template 30, 30′, 30″, 30′″, 80, 81, 83, 90,92 moveably located in the moveable tapered template holder system 20.Using the handle 51 and arm 53 of the pantographic mount 56, theoperator can move the guide bearing 54 up or down the tapers 32 a, 32 bof the tapered template 30, or tapers 32 a′, 32 b′ of the taperedtemplate 31′, etc., which creates a larger or smaller cut in theworkpiece by the router bit 52. In this way, and by adjusting the depthof the guide bearing 54 on a taper on a template via guide bearingadjustment knob 81, the operator is allowed in micro-adjusting the sizeof the cut or carve on a workpiece.

Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thattemplates such as those shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b may be adapted for usewith all other aspects of the invention, since these templates may beadapted in accordance with this disclosure to include tapered tenons andkeys for interconnecting to a template holder as per an embodiment andaspect of the invention. Thus, the template 90 shows an alternativeembodiment of a template comprising an exterior stepped portion and aninterior stepped portion (without showing, for purposes of avoidingredundancy, tapered tenons and keys for interconnecting to a templateholder as per an embodiment and aspect of the invention). Moreover, thetemplate 92 shows a template comprising an exterior stepped portion andan interior non-tapered portion (again without showing, for purposes ofavoiding redundancy, tapered tenons and keys for interconnecting to atemplate holder as per an embodiment and aspect of the invention).

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention as shownadditionally in FIG. 4B, guide bearings can also be tapered as shown at54′ to be used with stepped templates (e.g., 30″ of FIG. 6B, or 90 ofFIG. 9A), non-tapered templates 30″″, tapered templates (e.g., 30 ofFIGS. 3A-E), or segmented templates (e.g., 30′ of FIGS. 7A-B and 80 ofFIGS. 8A and 2), to also allow micro-adjusting the size of the cut orcarve on a workpiece.

The invention, or certain aspects thereof, can be used in any position,including but not limited to horizontal, such as with a HybridPantoRouter™ and PantoRouter™, or vertical such as a pin router orsimilar application. The invention, or certain aspects thereof, can alsobe used with non-pantographic router mount devices. Thus, the templateholder system in accordance with an aspect of the invention can be movedto different positions, different jigs, or with different machines.

The tapered-template system in accordance with an aspect of theinvention addresses problems of safety, inaccurate joinery using arouter and fixed-size guides or templates. Thus, the invention enablesquick, accurate, safer and easy-to-make joinery cuts, whether dovetail,mortise and tenon, or box joint cuts.

Further, the tapered-template system in accordance with an aspect of theinvention allows for easy and quick micro-adjustments to cuts andcarves, and thus certain aspects of the invention enable quick, accurateand easy-to-make micro-adjustments to a proposed cut. With the use ofthe template system (whether with non-tapered, tapered, or steppedtemplates) in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention,operators are enabled in greater control over routers using apantographic router mount in order to make routers safer, easier to useand more accurate. The tapered template system in accordance with anaspect of the invention enables operates in installing and changingtemplates and template holders, thus facilitating the work of settingup, creating, and taking down, a project.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention pertains and having the benefit of the teaching presented inthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, itshould be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to thespecific embodiments disclose and that modifications and otherembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A router guide template comprising: a base portion; a topportion; at least one of an exterior surface interconnecting said baseportion and said top portion along an outer periphery of the templateand an interior surface interconnecting said base portion and said topportion along an inner periphery of the template, wherein said at leastone of said exterior surface and said interior surface is continuouslytapered between said base portion and said top portion, and wherein saidbase portion is adapted for removable and adjustable interconnectionwith a template holder.
 2. The router guide template of claim 1, furthercomprising both an exterior surface and an interior surface, whereinsaid interior surface further comprises a plurality of stepped interiorsurfaces, an upper interior surface generally describing in crosssection a stadium shape having first and second ends and an elongatedmiddle portion and a lower interior surface generally describing incross section a stadium shape having first and second ends and anelongated middle portion, wherein at least the ends of said lowerinterior surface comprise a smaller circumference surface than at leastthe ends of said upper interior surface such that an intermediate stepis formed at least adjacent the ends of and between the upper interiorsurface and the lower interior surface.
 3. The router guide template ofclaim 1, wherein both said exterior surface and said interior surfaceare continuously tapered between said base portion and said top portion,wherein at least a portion of said exterior continuous surface iscontinuously tapered inwardly from said base portion to said topportion, and wherein at least a corresponding portion of said interiorcontinuous surface is continuously tapered outwardly from said baseportion to said top portion.
 4. The router guide template of claim 3,wherein the taper of each of said continuously-tapered exterior andcontinuously-tapered interior surfaces extends around the entireexterior and interior peripheries, respectively, of the template.
 5. Therouter guide template of claim 4, further comprising a template holderin combination with the router guide template, said template holderhaving a plurality of support post members and a cross memberinterconnecting the support post members and having a plurality oflinear keyed slots therein, wherein said base portion of the template isadapted for removable and adjustable interconnection with the linearkeyed slots of the cross member of said template holder.
 6. The routerguide template further comprising a template holder in combination withsaid router guide template of claim 4, wherein said template holderfurther comprises a thickness gauge on a 2:1-ratio-type, pantograph-typerouter system, for enabling centering cuts and carvings in a Y-axis of aworkpiece, said thickness gauge further comprising a plurality of clampson one of said cross member or said support posts and adapted forholding a sample of stock that is the same thickness as the intendedworkpiece such that the cutting blade of the router is adapted to bepositioned so as to create at least one of a mortise and a tenon in acenter location of the workpiece and the another workpiece.
 7. Therouter guide template further comprising a template holder incombination with said router guide template of claim 4, wherein thekeyed slots on said template holder and the base portion of saidtemplate are adapted to hold the template in any of avertically-oriented position, a horizontally-oriented position, or anangled position depending on which position is desired by the operator.8. The router guide template further comprising a template holder incombination with said router guide template of claim 4, wherein thetapers on said router guide template further comprise a taper of between0.1 degree and 25 degrees to allow for micro-adjustment of a cut orcarving.
 9. The router guide template of claim 4, wherein the templateis comprised of a plurality of segments of tapered templates, whereineach segment of tapered template comprises a top portion, a baseportion,and at least one of an exterior continuously-tapered surfaceinterconnecting said base portion and said top portion along an outerperiphery of the template and an interior continuously-tapered surfaceinterconnecting said base portion and said top portion along an innerperiphery of the template, and wherein each segment of tapered templatefurther comprises two mating end portions such that said plurality ofsegments of tapered templates may be removably and adjustably attachedto said template holder in end-to-end fashion such that the topportions, the base portions, and any exterior tapered surfaces andinterior tapered surfaces of each segment mated with an end to anothersegment forms a continuous top portion, a continuous base portion, andone of an exterior continuously-tapered surface and an interiorcontinuously-tapered surface, and such that when said plurality ofsegments are mated end-to-end together they form a complete router guidetemplate with a continuous top portion, a continuous base portion, andone of an exterior continuously-tapered surface and an interiorcontinuously-tapered surface.
 10. A router template guidance systemhaving a combination guide bearing and guide template comprising: atemplate comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, and at least oneexterior surface interconnecting the upper portion and the lowerportion, said template further comprising at least one interior surfaceinterconnecting the upper portion and the lower portion of saidtemplate; and a guide bearing comprising an exterior surface having ataper thereon adapted for following in contact with the exterior surfaceand the interior surface of said template.
 11. The router guide templateof claim 10, wherein the taper of said guide bearing extends around theentire exterior roller surface and is adapted for contact use with theinterior and exterior surfaces of said template to guide a router bladefor creating a tenon on a workpiece corresponding with the exterior ofthe template, and for creating a mortise on another workpiececorresponding with the interior of said template, the tenon and themortise being matched in size and location on the workpieces in order tointerconnect the workpieces.
 12. A pantograph-type woodworking routerguide template and template holder combination, comprising: a templateholder comprising a plurality of post members having at least one keyedslot defined along and extending at least a portion of the length ofeach said post member and adapted for interconnection with a pantographcarriage, said template holder further comprising at least one crossmember adjustably interconnecting said plurality of post members, saidtemplate holder cross member further comprising means for removeablyretaining at least one template, wherein said template holder furthercomprises a plurality of clamps for adjustably fixing said cross memberrelative to said posts; a template having a base portion and a topportion, said template further comprising exterior and interiorcontinuous surfaces interconnecting the base and top portions of saidtemplate along an outer periphery and an inner periphery of saidtemplate, respectively, the base portion being adapted for removable andadjustable interconnection with the cross member of said template. 13.The pantograph-type woodworking router guide template and templateholder combination of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of at leastone of the exterior continuous surface and the interior continuous istapered from the base portion to the top portion.
 14. Thepantograph-type woodworking router guide template and template holdercombination of claim 13, wherein the interior surface further comprisesa stepped interior surface having a larger circumference upper interiorsurface and a smaller circumference lower interior surface.
 15. Thepantograph-type woodworking router guide template and template holdercombination of claim 13, wherein at least one of the exterior continuoussurface and the interior continuous surface is tapered between the baseportion and the top portion.
 16. The pantograph-type woodworking routerguide template and template holder combination of claim 15, wherein boththe exterior continuous surface and the interior continuous surface aretapered, wherein the exterior continuous surface is tapered inwardlyfrom the base portion to the top portion, wherein the interiorcontinuous surface is tapered outwardly from the base portion to the topportion, and wherein the taper of each of the continuously-taperedexterior and interior surfaces extends around the entire exterior andinterior peripheries, respectively, of the template.
 17. Thepantograph-type woodworking router guide template and template holdercombination of claim 12, wherein the means for removeably retaining atleast one template on the cross member interconnecting the support postmembers comprises a plurality of linear keyed slots, and wherein thebase portion of said template is adapted for removable and adjustableinterconnection with the linear keyed slots of the cross member of saidtemplate holder.
 18. The routing woodworking guide template and templateholder combination of claim 17, wherein said template holder furthercomprises a thickness gauge on a 2:1-ratio-type, pantograph-type routingwoodworking system, for enabling centering cuts and carvings in a Y-axisof a first workpiece, said thickness gauge further comprising aplurality of clamps on one of said cross member or said support postsand adapted for holding a sample of stock that is the same thickness asthe intended workpiece such that the cutting blade of the router isadapted to be positioned so as to create one of a mortise and tenon inthe center of the workpiece.
 19. The router guide template of claim 12,wherein said template is comprised of a plurality of segments of taperedtemplates, wherein each segment of tapered template comprises a topportion, a base portion, and one of an exterior continuously-taperedsurface interconnecting said base portion and said top portion along anouter periphery and an interior continuously-tapered surfaceinterconnecting said base portion and said top portion along an innerperiphery, and wherein each segment of template further comprises twomating end portions such that said plurality of segments of taperedtemplates may be removably and adjustably attached to said templateholder in end-to-end fashion such that the top portions, the baseportions, the exterior surface and the interior surface of each segmentis mated at an end of the segment to another segment end forming acontinuous top portion, a continuous base portion, a continuous exteriorsurface and a continuous interior surface, and such that when saidplurality of segments are mated end-to-end together they form a completerouter guide template with a continuous top portion, a continuous baseportion, a continuous exterior surface, and a continuous interiorsurface.